Iloilo United Royals

Iloilo United Royals
League	MPBL (2018–2024)
Founded	2019;6 years ago (2019)
History	Iloilo United Royals 2019–2024
Arena	Passi City Arena
Location	Passi, Iloilo
Team colors

The Iloilo United Royals were a Filipino professional basketball team based in Passi, Iloilo. ^{[1] [2]} The team last competed in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). The team most recently played its home games at Passi City Arena.

The team joined the league in the 2019–20 season and last took part in the 2024 season.

History

JJ Javelosa, who would later own the team, and basketball coach Nash Racela conceived of an idea for an Iloilo team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) while playing golf. Racela brought in his co-coach Eric Gonzales to the nascent team. Javelosa, would have tapped his son Jay, who was then playing college basketball for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, while Racela would have recruited from his varsity FEU Tamaraws team. MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao approved of the plan, but was almost shelved when a sponsor backed out. The elder Javelosa eventually found new sponsors, and named the team the Iloilo United Royals. ^[3]

In the Royals' inaugural season, the team qualified to the playoffs in its debut season, finishing 18–12, claiming the sixth seed in the South. In the First Round, the team was eliminated by the Basilan Steel in the South Division First Round. ^{[4] [5]}

In the 2021 MPBL Invitational, the team was drawn into Group A alongside the other Visayas teams – Bacolod and Negros – and finished second, placing them into the playoff tournament. The team would go on to lose to the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the Quarterfinals. ^{[6] [7]} Iloilo then opted out of the 2022 MPBL season, with Javelosa stating that they took a leave of absence as they were uncertain that the MPBL will hold a tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. ^[8]

The Royals were announced to be one of the teams returning to the MPBL in time for the 2023 season. ^[9] Manu Inigo replaced Eric Gonzales as coach, with Cocolife as the principal sponsor. ^[8]

Team identity

The name is meant to represent the province of Iloilo, "United" represents unity among the Ilonggo people, while "Royals" references Iloilo City.

Personnel

Final roster

2024 Iloilo United Royals roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From G 1 Imperial, Shaquille 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Southwestern-U G 3 Jeruta, Aaron  (HG) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 1994–10–16 Centro Escolar C 4 Berjay, RV 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Ateneo G 5 Kapunan, JV  (HG) 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 1990–07–23 F 7 Credo, Jason 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Ateneo F 8 Javelosa, Michael Jay  (HG) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Ateneo F 9 Catapusan, CJ 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) UP G 11 Dela Rosa, Ry Aijer  (SGL) 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m) José Rizal G 12 Capacio, Gwyne Matthew 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Ateneo G 13 Gomez, Gab 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Ateneo G 14 Doliguez, Clint 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1994–05–27 San Beda F 21 Etrata, Prince 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) G 24 Nonoy, Mark  (HG) 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) De La Salle F 25 Madrigal, AJ 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) UP F 26 Larupay, Omar  (HG) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Lyceum G 27 Cansino, CJ 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 1999-10-27 UP C 29 Ongteco, Jeffrey Ryan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) St. Benilde F 33 Diaz, Jed 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) F 44 Beltran, Allan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) UE C 47 Rangel, Tzaddy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 1996–12–22 National-U

Head coach MC Abolucion Assistant coach(es) Mac Cuan Japs Cuan Ethel Tajorda Julius Sinon Legend (HG) Homegrown (FF) Filipino-foreigner (SGL) Special Guest Licensee (RS) Reserve player Injured Roster – via Genius Sports

Head coaches

Iloilo United Royals head coaches
#	Name	Start	End	Achievements	Ref.
1	Eric Gonzales	2019	2021	—	[10]
2	Manu Inigo	2023	2023	—	[11]
3	MC Abolucion	2023	2024	—
4	Japs Cuan	2024	2024	—

Notable players

MPBL All-Star Day

All-Star selections Richard Escoto – 2020 CJ Catapusan – 2023 Josh Flores – 2023 Renzo Navarro – 2023

PBA players

Ex-PBA players Samboy de Leon Chito Jaime

Drafted to PBA Rey Publico – 16th overall, 2019 Mark Nonoy – 10th overall, season 49 CJ Cansino – 11th overall, season 49

Season-by-season records

	League champions
	Division champions
	Qualified for playoffs
	Best regular season record

Season	Regular season							Playoffs
	Division	Finish	GP	W	L	PCT	GB	Stage	Results
Iloilo United Royals
2019–20 Lakan Season	South	6th	30	18	12	.600	8	Division quarterfinals	lost vs. Basilan, 0–2
Did not participate in 2022
2023	South	8th	28	12	16	.429	11	Division quarterfinals	lost vs. Bacoor City, 1–2
2024	South	9th	28	11	17	.393	10	Did not qualify
Did not participate in 2025
All-time regular season record			86	41	45	.477		2 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record			5	1	4	.200		0 Finals appearances
All-time overall record			91	42	49	.462		0 championships

References

1. Leobert Julian A. de la Peña (December 2, 2021). "Iloilo United Royals reveal roster for 2021 MPBL Invitational". Daily Guardian . Retrieved March 16, 2023.
2. Rick Olivares (November 13, 2019). "Iloilo Royals look to continue win streak vs Pasig in MPBL". The Philippine Star . Retrieved March 16, 2023.
3. Olivares, Rick (December 16, 2019). "A love for the game and the region | Rick Olivares". BusinessMirror. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
4. "Allyn Bulanadi leads Basilan past Iloilo and into MPBL division semifinals". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
5. Ivan Saldajeno (February 25, 2020). "Bulanadi takes over in clutch as Basilan clinches playoff series against Iloilo". dugout.ph. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
6. Randolph B. Leongson (December 22, 2021). "Nueva Ecija overcomes Iloilo to reach MPBL Invitational semis". Spin.ph . Retrieved March 16, 2023.
7. Guardian, Daily (December 22, 2021). "Iloilo falls to Nueva Ecija in MPBL Invitational quarterfinals". Daily Guardian. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
8. "Iloilo United Royals set for 2023 MPBL return". www.panaynews.net. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
9. Adrian Stewart Co (January 25, 2023). "Iloilo United Royals set for 2023 MPBL return". Panay News. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
10. "Quezon Huskers temper expectations as new MPBL team". The Philippine Star . February 21, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
11. Adrian Stewart Co (February 16, 2023). "Ilonggo Sumido banners United Royals in MPBL". Watchmen Daily Journal. Retrieved March 16, 2023– via Pressreader.com.